M25 Initiative: Offering Hope and Second Chances in Rural Nevada
For many people leaving incarceration, recovering from addiction, or facing homelessness, the biggest challenge is often not taking the first step toward a better life — it's finding someone willing to walk alongside them on the journey.
That's where the M25 Initiative of Northern Nevada comes in.
Launched in late 2024 by Northern Nevada resident Keri Lowrey, this nonprofit’s mission is to empower individuals reintegrating into their community by providing assistance with housing, food, education, transportation, mentorship, job readiness support, and other critical services. Inspired by Matthew 25 from the Bible, Lowrey said the organization focuses on being “the light in the darkest places, where there’s the least resources,” for people who often fall through the cracks of traditional support systems.
For Lowrey, the mission is deeply personal.
“My story is part of not just what I do, but it led me to where I am and it’s the reason for what I’m doing, why I’m helping people, why I’m serving.”
Following a divorce in 2018, she found herself homeless while trying to rebuild her life with her two daughters. During that difficult period, friends stepped in to provide housing, furniture, transportation, and encouragement when she had almost nothing left. Years later, while helping her daughter find her path through a difficult time, Lowrey felt called directly by God to create an organization dedicated to helping others facing similar hardships.
That vision quickly became the M25 Initiative.
“Matthew 25 talks all about being a good steward of the things that you were given and using your talents wisely,” Lowrey explained. “Matthew 25:40 talks about ‘whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’, so that became my mission, to do for the least of these.”
What began as efforts to provide food, clothing, and transportation has grown into a comprehensive reentry and recovery program. Today, M25 offers assistance with basic needs and support services designed to reduce both relapse and recidivism. The M25 Initiative is also home to Lyon County’s first sober house, and Lowrey is currently exploring additional properties to expand housing opportunities, including sober living accommodations and housing for aging and disabled residents.
The need was clear. According to Lowrey, nearly 90% of the requests coming through the nonprofit's needs assessment involved housing. Since opening, demand has continued to grow, with referrals arriving from rehabilitation centers, behavioral health providers, parole officers, and other community organizations throughout Northern Nevada.
“Our focus specifically is Storey and Lyon so that we can bring not only housing but other resources that are needed up here,” Lowrey clarified. “If you come out of incarceration or come out of rehab, you’re more likely going to go right back into the same situation that you were in for and we want to stop that.”
The challenges facing rural communities remain significant and impact many residents across Lyon and Storey Counties. Those obstacles can become even greater for individuals attempting to rebuild their lives after addiction, homelessness, or incarceration.
But M25's approach goes beyond simply providing a roof overhead.
The program emphasizes accountability, life skills, community involvement, and long-term stability. Residents and community partners are encouraged to participate in recovery meetings, educational workshops, mentoring opportunities, and other activities designed to help participants build sustainable lives.
With a small but mighty volunteer team, community partnerships, and a growing network of supporters, M25 hopes to continue expanding housing opportunities and services throughout our region.
"We want people to succeed," Lowrey said. "We want to help them stop the cycle and discover their purpose."
For more information, donation and volunteer opportunities, prayer nights, or to request assistance, visit m25nv.org or call (775) 800-6395.
